What a dentist's role is
A dentist sees the inside of your mouth more often than anyone else, so a routine examination is a good chance to notice a change you cannot see yourself: a patch on the floor of the mouth, a lump under the tongue, or a sore at the back of the cheek. Our guide on how often to see a dentist covers how often a check is sensible.
If you come in with an ulcer, a patch or a lump, the dentist will examine it, feel the area and the glands in the neck, and ask how long it has been there and whether you use tobacco or areca nut. They will look for a local cause, such as a broken tooth or a rubbing denture, and fix it if there is one.
A dentist is not able to say from appearance alone whether a change is cancer, and a sensible one will not try. What a dentist can do is decide whether it needs watching, a review after a short interval, or a referral.
When a dentist refers you for a biopsy
If a sore has not healed after the cause has been dealt with, or if a patch or lump looks doubtful, you will usually be referred for a biopsy, in which a small sample of the tissue is examined under a microscope. That is the only way to confirm or rule out cancer, and it is described in our guide on how mouth cancer is diagnosed.
A referral is not a diagnosis. Many people referred in this way turn out to have something harmless. It means the change needs a definite answer rather than more waiting, so go to the appointment promptly.
Who treats mouth cancer
If a biopsy confirms cancer, treatment is planned by a specialist team, usually including a head and neck surgeon, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and an oncologist, and sometimes other specialists such as a radiologist and a pathologist. Your own dentist stays involved in looking after your teeth and mouth around that treatment, but does not plan it.
The team explains the options to you in the context of your own situation, and nothing is decided before you have the full picture. For the early signs that should send you to a dentist in the first place, see our guide on mouth cancer first stage.
Common questions
Can a dentist tell if it is mouth cancer?
A dentist can tell whether a change looks ordinary or doubtful, but cannot confirm cancer by looking. Only a biopsy can do that. The dentist's job is to spot the change and send you on for the right test.
Should I see a dentist or a doctor for a mouth ulcer that will not heal?
Either is a sensible first step. A dentist can examine the whole mouth, the teeth and any dentures for a cause. If the change looks doubtful, either one will refer you for further tests.
Does a routine dental check include a look for mouth cancer?
A routine examination includes looking at the soft tissues of the mouth, but you should still tell the dentist about any sore, patch or lump you have noticed and how long it has been there. Do not rely on a check-up to catch something you could have mentioned.
Does a referral mean I have cancer?
No. A referral means the change needs a definite answer. Many referrals end with a harmless result, and having it settled is the point.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Prices are prevailing Lucknow market ranges. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.